Portable and Stackable Plastic Multipurpose Container

ABSTRACT

Portable and stackable multipurpose containers are disclosed. The containers have an oval base and an oval top in communication with sides of the wall extending perpendicularly from the base. The oval top is slidably positioned to open from both sides, which are perpendicular to the oval sides; the top is slidable. The multipurpose container is adapted for storing nails, screws, and similar items useful to craftsmen.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container having a plastic boxlike structure, an oval baseand an oval top and is suitable for stacking.

These portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containers aresuitable for storing nails, screws, and other small items used bycraftsmen. For convenient storage, these portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers are stacked.

BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART

A variety of tool cases have been disclosed. The present inventionprovides a versatile portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer suitable for holding nails, screws, and other similarly sizedrelated items. The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containercan be opened from both sides of the top, thus facilitating the use ofthe container. An advantage of the portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers of this invention is that the containers aredesigned to be stackable. This property saves space, since only arelatively small space is needed to store many of the portable andstackable plastic multipurpose containers of this invention.

The following references are of interest, but are clearly unrelated tothe claimed invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,556 to Van Loo discloses a container for smallobjects that is provided with a glide closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,204 B2 to Lange, et al. discloses a receptaclehaving a translatably-guidable cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers suitable to be stacked. The portable stackableand plastic multipurpose container comprises: (a) an oval base, (b) anoval top, (c) a pair of opposed substantially identical walls extendingperpendicularly from the base with an oval upper portion, the oval upperportion has a top side and a bottom side. A pair of opposed sidewallsare extended perpendicularly from the oval base, where the oval top ofthe container meets the bottom side of the oval upper portion of thewall. The oval top is slidably positioned to form at least two sides.Suitably, the oval top is slidably positioned to open from either sideof the pair of opposed sides. Preferably, each side of the oval top hasa plastic connecting member to close each side to the pair of opposedsidewalls. Advantageously, a plurality of supporting structuresstrengthen the base of the portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer. Preferably, these supporting structures are located on thebase inside the container. The stacking of the portable and stackableplastic multipurpose containers is facilitated by providing the oval topwith two tenons, which engage the two mortise apertures at the bottom ofthe oval base thus securing the stack. The portable and stackableplastic multipurpose containers of this invention are particularlysuitable for carrying nails, screws, and other similarly sized itemsused by craftsmen.

The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containers of thisinvention are used independently. However, to save space in storage, astack of portable and stackable multipurpose containers comprising aplurality of portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containers ofthis invention are stacked. This is suitably accomplished wherein foreach set of two containers the two tenons on the oval top of onecontainer have been inserted in the two mortise apertures of the bottomof the oval base of the other container. Suitably, the stacks ofplastic, portable and multipurpose containers have oval rectangularbases, oval square bases or oval bases having a different configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container viewed from the top with both sides closedshowing two tenons.

FIG. 2 is a view of the container of FIG. 1 viewed from the top withboth sides open showing the support structures located on the baseinside the portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container.

FIG. 3 is a view of the container of FIG. 1 from the top and theaperture, which facilitates the closing of the portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the rectangular, stackable plastic multipurposecontainer from the longer side with the top closed showing the closingmechanism and stacking.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container from the longer side with the top open.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container from the shorter side showing the oval upperportion, the oval base and a connecting system whereby the top isfastened to the bottom oval sidewall.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container from the shorter side opposite the shorter sideshown in FIG. 6 showing the oval upper portion and the protrudingflange, which supports the stacking of the rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container.

FIG. 8 is the back view of the rectangular portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container showing two mortise apertures where thetenons of the portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containerconnects to assist in stacking the rectangular portable and stackableplastic multipurpose containers. Also shown is a supporting structurefor the base.

FIG. 9 is a view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container viewed from the top with both sides closedshowing two tenons.

FIG. 10 is a view of the square multipurpose container of FIG. 9 withboth sides open showing the support structures located on the baseinside the portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container.

FIG. 11 is a view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of FIG. 9 from the top with one side open showingthe connector and the aperture, which facilitates the closing of thesquare portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container from one end showing the oval upper portion, theoval base, a connecting system whereby the top is fastened to the bottomoval side wall.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container from the side opposite to the side described inFIG. 12 showing the oval upper portion and the protruding flange, whichsupports the stacking of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container.

FIG. 14 is the back view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container showing two mortise apertures where the tenons ofthe portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container connects toassist in stacking the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers. Also showing is a supporting structure for thebase.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container showing the top open and slidable, moved to oneside showing the bottom and the inside walls of the multipurposecontainer.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a stack of four rectangular, portable andstackable multipurpose containers shown from the shorter side.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a stack of four rectangular, portable andstackable multipurpose containers shown from the longer side.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a stack of two rectangular, portable andstackable multipurpose containers showing the flanges on the shorterside, the wires or related articles pressed through the aperture in theflanges are used to hold together in a stack the multipurpose container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable and stackable multipurposeplastic containers for storing nails, screws, and related items ofsimilar size. The shape of the portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container is suitably rectangular or square. The portableand stackable plastic multipurpose container comprises: (a) a base, (b)an oval top, (c) a pair of opposed substantially identical wallsextending perpendicularly from the base with an oval upper portion, theoval upper portion has a top side and a bottom side, (d) a pair ofopposed sidewalls extend perpendicularly from the base to a point wherethe top side of the container meets the bottom side of the oval upperportion of the wall, and (e) the oval top is slidably positioned to openfrom at least two sides. Preferably, the oval top is slidably positionedto open from either side of the pair of opposed sidewalls. Suitably,each side of the top has a plastic connecting member to close each sideto the pair of opposed sidewalls. The total top can slidably move overthe oval side thus facilitating the removal of the objects stored in theportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container of this invention.

Advantageously, a plurality of supporting structures are provided tostrengthen the base of the container. Suitably, the supportingstructures are located on the base inside the container and outside thecontainer. To facilitate stacking, the portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers are provided with two tenons on the oval top andtwo mortise apertures at the bottom of the oval base. The tenons engagethe mortise and a viable stack is formed.

In another embodiment, the portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer is provided with (a) a rectangular base, (b) an oval top, and(c) a pair of opposed substantially identical walls extendingperpendicularly from the shorter side of the rectangular base with anoval upper portion. The oval upper portion has a top side and a bottomside. A pair of longer opposed sidewalls is provided. These extendperpendicularly from the longer sides of the rectangular base. The ovaltop is slidably positioned to open from at least two sides preferablyfrom both sides of the longer pair of opposed sidewalls. Each side ofthe top of the plastic, portable and stackable multipurpose container isprovided with a plastic connecting member to close each side to the pairof the longer opposed sidewalls. The portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container with the rectangular base is strengthened by aplurality of supporting structures located on the base inside thecontainer and outside the container. To facilitate stacking, the ovaltop is provided with two tenons, which connect to the mortise aperturelocated at the bottom of the oval base. The top including both sides areprovided with means which enable the top to move to over to the ovalside thus facilitating the removal of objects stored In the portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container of this invention.

An additional embodiment provides a portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container with a square base comprising: (a) an oval top,(b) a pair of opposed substantially identical walls extendingperpendicularly from the base with an oval upper portion, the oval upperportion has a top side and a bottom side; the oval upper portion has aplurality of tenons which facilitate the stacking of the portable andstackable plastic multipurpose containers since the tenons communicatewith the two mortise of the apertures located at the bottom of the ovalbase, and (c) a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the base to apoint where the top side of the container meets the bottom side of theoval upper portion of the wall. The oval top is slidably positioned toopen from at least two sides. Preferably, the oval top is slidablypositioned to open from either side of the pair of opposed sidewalls.The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container with thesquare base is strengthened by a plurality of supporting structureslocated on the base inside and outside the container. Advantageously,the base of the portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container ofthis invention can be in the configuration of a rectangle and square, orany other recognized shape. In all these configurations, the base of thecontainer is strengthened by the supporting structures and the top andbottom of the container have an oval configuration. In all theseconfigurations, the top, including both sides, are provided with meanswhich enable the top to move over the oval side thus facilitating theremoval of objects stored in the portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (10) viewed from the top (21) with both sides(11) and (12) closed, showing two tenons (13), locking one handle (16)long side (19). Also shown is a connector (41) and a latch (42).

FIG. 2 is a view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (10) viewed from the top with both sides (11) and(12) open showing the bottom of the multipurpose container (14) having aplurality of supporting structures (15). Also shown are the lockingmechanisms (16) on the top of each side (11) and (12) and the bottom ofthe locking mechanism (17) in the middle of the longer side of therectangular portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container (10).

FIG. 3 illustrates the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (10) with both sides (11) and (12) closed showingthe two tenons (13), the locking mechanism (16), the long side (19) ofthe rectangular container (10) and the short oval side (20). Also shownare a connector (41) and a latch (42).

FIG. 4 shows a stack of four rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers (10) with the tops (11) and (12) closed. Alsoshown are the locking mechanisms (16), two tenons (13) and a flange (43)with an aperture (47) through which can be passed a connecting wire orrod to stabilize the stack (48) if necessary.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the rectangular portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container (10) with the top open from the longerside (19).

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (10) from the shorter side (20) showing the ovalshorter side (20) and the oval base (21) and a connecting system wherebythe top (21) is fastened to the oval sidewall (22). The top is slidable,movable to open the container (10).

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (10) from the shorter side (20) opposite theshorter side (20) shown In FIG. 6 showing the oval upper portion (46),the flange (43) and the aperture (47) in the flange (43).

FIG. 8 is the back view (45) of the rectangular portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container (10) showing two mortise apertures (48)where the tenons (13) of the other container (10) connects to assist inthe stacking of the rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose containers (10). Also shown is a supporting structure forthe base (49).

FIG. 9 is a top view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (28) with both sides (29) and (30) open showingsupport structures (32).

FIG. 10 is a view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of FIG. 9 with both sides open showing thesupport structures (33) located in the base (34) inside the portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container (28).

FIG. 11 is a view of the square, portable and stackable multipurposecontainer (28) of FIG. 9 from the tops (29) and (30) showing the tenons(61) with one side opening showing the connector (35) and the aperture(36), which facilitates the closing of the square portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container (28).

FIG. 12 is side view (50) of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (28) from one end showing the oval upper portion(51), the oval base (52), a connecting system (53) whereby the top (29)and (30) is fastened to the bottom oval side wall (54).

FIG. 13 is a side view of the square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container (28) from the side opposite (55) to the side (50)described in FIG. 12 showing the oval upper portion (56) and theprotruding flange (17) with an aperture (58). Suitably, wires or otherfastening devices are passed through the apertures (58) to form a stackof the square, portable and stackable multipurpose container (28).

FIG. 14 is the back view (59) of the square portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container (28) showing two mortise apertures (60)where the tenons (61) of the portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer (28) connects to assist In stacking the multipurposecontainers (28). Also shown is a supporting structure (62) for the base.

FIG. 15 is the top view (11) and (12) of the rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container (10) showing the top open andtwo tenons (13). Also shown are the long side (19), the lockingmechanism (16) and the oval side (20), and a latch (42).

FIG. 16 is a side view from the oval side (20) of the rectangularportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container (10) showing thetop closed (11) and (12). Also shown is a connector (41) and a latch(42) and four containers (10).

FIG. 17 is a side view of a stack of four rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose containers (10) shown from the longerside (19) and the oval shorter side (20). Also shown is the flange (47)and the aperture (43) in the flange (47).

FIG. 18 is a side view of a stack of two rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose containers (10) showing both the longerside (19) and the shorter oval side (20). Also shown are the flange(47), the aperture (43) In the flange (47), the locking system (16), twotenons (13) and the top closed (11) and (12).

Various modifications to the invention are contemplated. It isunderstood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described.

1. A portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container comprising:(a) an oval base; (b) an oval top; (c) a pair of opposed substantiallyidentical walls extending perpendicularly from the base with an ovallower portion and an oval upper portion, the oval upper portion has atop side and a bottom side; (d) the oval top portion is slidablyconnected to the lower walls; (e) a pair of opposed sidewalls extendingperpendicularly from the base where the top side of the container meetsthe bottom side of the oval upper portion of the wall; and (f) the ovaltop slidably positioned to open from at least two sides.
 2. The portableand stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 1, wherein theoval top is slidably positioned to open from either side of the pair ofopposed sidewalls.
 3. The portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer of claim 2, wherein each side of the top has a plasticconnecting member to close each side to the pair of opposed sidewalls.4. The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 1,wherein a plurality of supporting structures strengthen the base of thecontainer.
 5. The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containerof claim 4, wherein the supporting structures are located on the baseinside the container and on the base outside the container.
 6. Theportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 1 whereinthe oval top has a plurality of tenons, which facilitate the stacking ofthe portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container.
 7. Theportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 1 whereinthe bottom of the oval base has a plurality of mortise apertures placedso they are in position to receive a plurality of tenons on top of theoval top to facilitate the stacking of the containers.
 8. A portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container comprising: (a) an ovalrectangular base; (b) an oval top; (c) a pair of opposed substantiallyidentical walls extending perpendicularly from shorter side of therectangular base with an oval lower portion and with an oval upperportion, the oval upper portion has a top side and a bottom side; (d)the oval top is slidably connected to the lower walls; (e) a pair oflonger opposed sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the longer sidesof the rectangular base; and (f) the oval top slidably positioned toopen from at least two sides.
 9. The portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 8, wherein the oval top is slidablypositioned to open from either side of the longer pair of opposedsidewalls.
 10. The portable and stackable plastic multipurpose containerof claim 9, wherein each side of the top has a plastic connecting memberto close each side of the pair of the longer opposed sidewalls.
 11. Therectangular portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container ofclaim 8, wherein a plurality of supporting structures strengthen thebase of the container.
 12. The portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 11, wherein the supporting structuresare located on the base inside the container and on the base outside thecontainer.
 13. The rectangular portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 8 wherein the oval top has a pluralityof tenons, which facilitate the stacking of the rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container.
 14. The rectangular portableand stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 8 wherein thebottom of the oval base has a plurality of mortise apertures placed sothey are in position to receive a plurality of tenons on top of the ovaltop to facilitate the stacking of the containers.
 15. The rectangularportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 8 whereinthe container is made of polyolefin.
 16. The rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 15 wherein thecontainer is made of polypropylene.
 17. The rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 15, wherein thecontainer is made of polyethylene.
 18. The rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container of claim 8 wherein aperpendicular extension is attached to the shorter oval wall, saidextension having an aperture through which wires or poles can beinserted to assist in the stacking of the rectangular portable andstackable plastic multipurpose container.
 19. A portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container comprising: (a) an oval square base; (b)an oval top; (c) a pair of opposed substantially identical wallsextending perpendicularly from the base with an oval lower portion andwith an upper portion, the oval upper portion has a top side and abottom side; (d) the oval top is slidably connected to the lower walls;(e) a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the base to a point wherethe top side of the container meets the bottom side of the oval upperportion of the wall; and (f) the oval top slidably positioned to openfrom at least two sides.
 20. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 18, wherein the oval top is slidablypositioned to open from either side of the pair of opposed sidewalls.21. The square portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container ofclaim 18, wherein a plurality of supporting structures strengthen thebase of the container.
 22. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 21, wherein the supporting structuresare located on the base inside the container and on the base outside thecontainer.
 23. The square portable and stackable plastic multipurposecontainer of claim 19, wherein each side of the top has a plasticconnecting member to close each side to the pair of opposed sidewalls.24. The square portable and stackable plastic multipurpose container ofclaim 19, wherein the oval top has a plurality of tenons whichfacilitates stacking.
 25. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 19, wherein the bottom of the oval basehas a plurality of mortise apertures placed so they are in position toreceive a plurality of tenons on top of the oval top to facilitate thestacking of the containers.
 26. The square portable and stackableplastic multipurpose container of claim 19, wherein the container ismade of polyolefin.
 27. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 26, wherein the container is made ofpolypropylene.
 28. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 26, wherein the container is made ofpolyethylene.
 29. A stack of portable and stackable multipurposecontainers comprising a plurality of rectangular portable and stackableplastic multipurpose containers of claim 8, wherein for each set of aplurality of containers the oval top of a plurality of tenons of thecontainer have been inserted in a plurality of mortise apertures of thebottom of the oval base of the other container.
 30. A stack of portableand stackable multipurpose containers comprising a plurality of squareportable and stackable plastic multipurpose containers of claim 19,wherein for each set of a plurality of containers is received by aplurality of tenons on the oval top of one container have been insertedin the plurality of mortise apertures of the bottom of the oval base ofthe other container.
 31. The square portable and stackable plasticmultipurpose container of claim 19, wherein a perpendicular extension isattached to oval wall said extension having an aperture through whichwires or poles can be inserted to assist in the stacking of the squareportable and stackable plastic multipurpose container.